15-05-2025
Farmers' income doubled whenever TDP is in power, says Naidu
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has asserted that farmers have benefited and their incomes doubled whenever the TDP is in power.
'The agriculture sector's contribution to the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) is less compared to the services sector. Notwithstanding, the State government is determined to give a fillip to the agriculture and allied sectors, given the fact that farmers' income is important than State revenues,' Mr. Naidu said while addressing the Animal Husbandry-Tech AI 2.0 conclave here on Wednesday.
Mr. Naidu said Andhra Pradesh topped the country in agriculture. The State was know as 'Annapoorna'. However, the services and industrial sectors also needed growth. In Telangana, 67% of income came from the services sector, whereas in Andhra Pradeh, it was only 46%.
Under the TDP government, the dairy sector, too, grew at 22% CAGR (compound annual growth rate), he said. Currently, livestock generated ₹1.69 lakh crore income, and as many as 42 lakh families depended on livestock.
The State's livestock contribution to the GSDP grew from ₹43,127 crore in 2014–15 to ₹91,633 crore by 2018–19, marking a 21% CAGR during the TDP government's tenure. However, the growth rate declined to 11% between 2019–24, he said.
The Chief Minister said that in 2024–25, the livestock sector earned ₹1.69 lakh crore. The target for 2025–26 was set at ₹1.95 lakh crore. The Animal Husbandry Department, which played a vital role in driving Andhra Pradesh's growth, would continue to receive top priority under the NDA government, Mr. Naidu said, adding, currently, the sector contributed 11.23% to the GSDP.
Mr. Naidu underlined the need to promote high-value horticulture crops, which bring higher returns compared to traditional farming. Horticulture on 18 lakh hectares currently generates ₹1.55 lakh crore, while agriculture across 50 lakh hectares brings ₹55,000 crore. 'The goal is to double the horticulture area to 36 lakh hectares. Hence, the government plans to promote high-income horticultural crops, increasing coverage from 18 to 36 lakh hectares,' he said.
Outlining the government's vision for the livestock and poultry industries, Mr. Naidu announced key reforms, including exemption of property and house tax on village-level dairy sheds. The government would streamline Central schemes online, review mobile veterinary ambulance requirements, and integrate NREGS for water supply and fodder-related work.
Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan would work closely with departments to design actionable roadmaps. The State would provide solar power of up to 1,000 units, introduce grass-cutting machines for women, and expand micro-irrigation to 2.5 lakh acres this year, he added.
The programme was organised by the Animal Husbandry Department, in association with the Global Forum for Sustainable Transformation.
